Fairtrade

You may not be aware that in January 2006 Leighton-Linslade became Bedfordshire's first official Fairtrade Town.

On 20th January 2006, in front of an enthusiastic audience, Director of the Fairtrade Foundation, Harriet Lamb, presented Town Mayor Councillor Mark Freeman with a certificate conferring Fairtrade Town status on Leighton-linslade.

The presentation, held at the Raven Theatre, Cedars Upper School was attended by Andrew Selous, MP who presented Fairtrade certificates to local organisations and businesses that had already embraced the Fairtrade ethos and were serving or using its products.

Leighton-Linslade was  established as Bedfordshire's first Fairtrade Town and those attending the ceremony had an opporetunity to sample Fairtrade wine and fruit juices.  There was also a display of produce made from its products.

Earlier in the day, the BBC's Money Programme visited Leighton-Linslade to interview Harriet Lamb and a number of Town Councillors.  It also filmed local residents in the town centre and later attended the certificate presentation.

What is Fairtrade

The FAIRTRADE Mark is an independent consumer label which appears on products as an independent guarantee that disadvantaged producers in the developing world are getting a better deal.

For a product to display the FAIRTRADE Mark it must meet international Fairtrade standards. These standards are set by the international certification body Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO).

Producer organisations that supply Fairtrade products are inspected and certified by FLO. They receive a minimum price that covers the cost of sustainable production and an extra premium that is invested in social or economic development projects.

How can I find out more about Fairtrade

For further information on Fairtrade please use the external links provided on the right hand side of this page and you will be directed to the appropriate web sites.